WINDBER —
A Fayette County defense contractor’s announcement last week of 164 layoffs due to a decline in military spending is not a harbinger of widespread cutbacks here, U.S. Rep. Mark Critz said Monday during a ceremony recognizing another defense plant’s accomplishments.
“Obviously, the Defense Department is going to be going through transition as we scale down in Iraq,” Critz said, explaining that BAE Systems’ announced layoffs stemmed from a gap in contracts during a transition by the Army.
“There was a program the Army was trying to do that is not going to happen,” Critz said.
BAE’s North Union Township plant’s main product is the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, which will be part of the Army’s strategic plans for years to come, Critz said.
Companies must concentrate on the performance and reliability that has always been the Johnstown region’s hallmark, Critz said following a ceremony at API Technologies Corp. in Windber.
Defense contracting giant Raytheon’s Integrated Defense Systems division honored API Technologies Corp. and its employees for completing an 11-month contract in nine months.
“This is just a validation of everything we are doing here,” Steve Pudles, chief executive officer for API Technologies, said Monday during an award ceremony at the company’s Windber plant.
The award recognizes API’s achievement in delivering MK73 solid-state transmitters for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Seasparrow guided missiles. Units manufactured in the former Kuchera Industries plant help track and illuminate targets for the missile’s high-tech guidance system, Raytheon’s project manager Dale Wainwright said at the award ceremony.
This is the third production run and all have come in on budget, Wainwright said, noting additional orders are expected.
“There will be more work coming next year,” Wainwright said.
The local plant’s accomplishment illustrates the strength of the region’s work force, Critz said.
“We all knew: You give us the opportunity and we will excel,” Critz said.
“If we get a chance to compete, we can do the work.”
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API Technologies Vice President Carl Sax introduces speakers during a ceremony honoring the Windber plant’s efficiency in completing work for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems. Randy Griffith
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Steve Pudles, chief executive officer of API Technologies Corp. Randy Griffith
Discussion
Defense company honored
API Technologies Corp. receives award for early completion of contract
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